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Retirement Gifts with a Twist

Queen Darlene - September 3, 2015 - Retirement

Retirement is the next frontier for Baby Boomers! Did you know the Baby Boomer generation will be turning 65 at a rate of 8,000 per day? That’s a lot of retirement gifts to think about!

retirement-rhinestone-flashlight-thoughtful-gift-idea

Create a joyful card for Retirement!

Rocking chair gifts are out. Let’s get more creative than that.

Many Baby Boomers retire only to become bored and return to work part-time. Others start new businesses while some take trips and enjoy their hobbies of art, golf, fishing, or penning a novel.

HOBBY GIFTS

A retirement gift related to their hobby is perfect.

retirement-flashlight-thoughtful-gift-idea

Pair a flashlight with this card for a Play on Words gift idea.

If they like to paint, purchase several different size canvases with the message to “Paint Your Art Out.”

Golf balls are certainly prized gifts. Personalize them with the word “RETIRED!” Continue Reading

Coin Purse Filled With Coins and Cash

Queen Darlene - September 2, 2015 - Birthday, Christmas, Congratulations, Going Away, Graduation, Money, Mother's Day

A coin purse is the best thing ever! Not only does it hold your change for easy access but it keeps all of the coins from settling at the bottom of your purse.

So why don’t people think of giving a coin purse for a gift? Maybe it seems too blah. But it’s not if the coin purse comes already filled with coins and cash!

Coin purses come in every shape, size and color. Some styles are classy while others inspire fun. The selections are endless as you can choose leather, cloth or silicone.

I try to find the perfect coin purse to match the personality of the gift recipient. Continue Reading

Scented Candles Containing Hidden Jewelry

Queen Darlene - August 27, 2015 - Anniversary, Birthday, Business, Christmas, Housewarming, Mother's Day, Retirement, Teacher Gifts, Valentine's Day

For my sister-in-law Nancy’s 55th birthday, I wanted to surprise her with a gift that would give her a thrill. Jewelry is always fun to receive, but how about one hidden in a candle that you have to burn to find?

I remember as a kid the excitement of finding the prize inside a Cracker Jack box!

During the 1950s & 60s “real” prizes were hidden inside Cracker Jacks instead of paper stickers. I discovered a jeweled ring as one of my hidden treasures and pretended it was my wedding ring!

I remember my kids dumping entire cereal boxes on the kitchen table in order to find the prizes inside. There’s just something exhilarating about finding hidden treasures. Continue Reading

“I’ve Walked in Your Shoes” Condolence Gift

Queen Darlene - August 20, 2015 - Condolence

I’m at the age now where my friends’ parents are passing away.

I can’t believe it’s been three years already that my mother passed away. We spoke every day and spent a lot of time together, especially during celebrations like family birthdays and holidays.

There is not a single day that goes by that I don’t think of her. I miss her.

It’s one of the hardest things to do in life, to go about your normal routine after you lose a parent. You want to share a thought or an upcoming event only to realize you cannot pick up the phone to call your mother or father.

I’m thankful to my friends and family who helped me through my grief after my mother died.

When a dear friend’s mother passed away, I wanted her to know it IS true that time is a great healer. I’ve realized that all I have to do is think of a precious memory to know my mother is never far away.

When you have walked in someone’s shoes, it’s sometimes easier to find the right comforting words to share.

Money Chain | Same as Cash

Queen Darlene - August 19, 2015 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Graduation, Kids, Money

Almost everyone likes to receive money as a gift. It comes in the right color and size every time. How to give money in a unique way is the challenge.

I’ve used the Money Chain idea several times and it never fails to be entertaining. One, the visual is cool – it’s a chain. Two, it’s fun to count each link. Three, it’s an interactive gift.

Everyone who receives it can’t wait to take the chain apart and stack all the money in one hand.

I like to use dollar bills to make a very long chain. Within the chain, you can insert $5, $10 or any denomination. The amount you give is up to you.

I’ve used 50 one dollar bills chained together for a 50th wedding anniversary gift and wrote in the card “still chained together!” Continue Reading

Hallmark itty bittys® | Friends for Little Ones

Queen Darlene - August 13, 2015 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Kids

Little ones attending day care, Mother’s Day Out or preschool are usually not excited about going unless… they can bring some friends.

Money Tootsie Rolls Suprise!

Queen Darlene - August 12, 2015 - Birthday, Christmas, Food & Drinks, Graduation, Kids, Money

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Gifts containing a hidden surprise are some of my favorite gifts. If the person loves candy, Tootsie Rolls are a creative way to surprise someone with money.

It’s incredibly easy to roll up cash to look like Tootsie Rolls.

First, unwrap a Tootsie Roll and eat it. You won’t be needing it. Save the wrapper though!

Fold a dollar bill into thirds, then fold into half, in half again, in half again, and in half again for a total of five folds.

Wrap the folded bill with the Tootsie Roll wrapper you saved. Twist the ends to make it look like there is a real Tootsie Roll candy inside. No glue. No tape. It’s that easy peasy!

Repeat as many times as necessary to create more Money Tootsie Rolls.

Back-to-School 3D Food Pencil Cases

Queen Darlene - August 6, 2015 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Kids, Party Favors

I remember as kids the excitement of getting new Back-to-School clothes and school supplies.

Mom enjoyed taking us shopping. Looking back I think she was like every parent, happy and ready for school to start!

Some of you may remember buying shoes at Payless where you could purchase two pairs for $5. That was their big campaign slogan a long long time ago.

Purchasing three-ring binders, notebook paper, spiral notebooks, #2 pencils, Bic pens and folders with pictures of a popular TV show were the main school supply staples of the baby boom era during which I grew up.

I’ve gotta tell you, there’s a lot more fun things to choose from now! I found a back-to-school item that will keep things organized AND that kids will think is cool – a 3D Food Pencil Case!

You can buy pencil cases that look like pizzas, ice cream sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream cones, bagels, bananas, pita breads, and cookies to mention a few. Sorry these items are no longer available. You can still get cute food pencil cases through Amazon.com

M&Ms Money Jar

Queen Darlene - August 5, 2015 - Birthday, Christmas, Congratulations, Graduation, Kids, Money

Did you know M&Ms go with anyone’s diet? It’s true when money is hidden within the M&Ms!

Giving money in a creative way and as a surprise will always make the gift memorable. If it’s impressive and simple, many times the recipient will use the gift idea for someone else!

You’ve heard that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” I love hearing that someone copied one of our gift ideas. That’s Sunburst Gifts at its finest!

I’m hoping the M&Ms Money Jar becomes a gift people will use over and over again.

Items you will need for this money gift:

M&Ms
A canning jar with lid
Toilet paper roll
Cash
Wrapping paper

Lovebirds, A Pair of Lovers | Wedding Gift Idea

Queen Darlene - July 30, 2015 - Anniversary, Valentine's Day, Wedding

My high school friend Becky found true love and will soon get married. Only this time, her grandchildren are going to be there. So what do you get a couple who has lived a life time already and has every thing?

I spotted a picture of lovebirds when shopping in a craft store. Immediately, Becky and her soon-to-be husband came to mind. Her stories of him and how much they love each other sounded just like a couple of lovebirds.

Bill works as a truck driver and every time he returns home, he always brings one, two, three or more flower bouquets for her. He has brought her flowers every week for three years!

Now, he knows what romance is all about. Sounds like a keeper to me! No wonder she is head-over-heels crazy in love.

I purchased the picture of love birds and for that “thoughtful twist” explained the special meaning behind why I chose it. After researching the definition of lovebird and finding some interesting facts, I typed the following information, and taped it to the back of the picture. Continue Reading